William Kenneth “Kenny” Eglinton, 77, of Hokah, Minn., went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 11, 2016. He was a teacher, farmer, and construction worker at different points in his life.
Ken was born on Nov. 2, 1938, in La Crosse, Wis. He grew up on a dairy farm on Mound Prairie between Hokah and Houston and graduated from Houston High School in 1956. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August of 1956, serving two years of active duty and the rest of his enlistment as a member of the La Crosse Naval Reserves. While on active duty, he served as a boiler tender on a destroyer, the U.S.S. Stribling. Ken participated in two cruises to the Mediterranean as a part of the 6th Fleet. Upon his discharge from active duty, he began attending classes at Winona State College in Winona, Minn., and graduated in June of 1966. He was always grateful to Mathy Construction Co., for giving him a job each summer that provided the money that he needed to complete his college education.
Ken married Sally Schubert on June 13, 1964. They had two children, Shannon (Robert) Krause of Mukwonago, Wis.; and Casey (Keri) Eglinton of Hokah. Ken and Sally were also blessed to have four grandchildren, Emma, Beckett, McKenna, and Kenzi.
Ken taught Industrial Arts at Onalaska High School for 15 years while he and Sally farmed a small farm North of Holmen, Wis. In 1978, they bought a 280 acre farm on the ridge above Brownsville, Minn. and in 1980, Ken began teaching at Caledonia High School. He taught shop there until his retirement in 2001. His teaching career had spanned 36 years.
Ken was a member of Zion Evangelical Church in Brownsville, a lifetime member of the LeRoy D. Holzwarth VFW Post #6801 of Brownsville, past member of the Houston Co. Pork Producers, past member of the Houston Co. Cattleman’s Assoc. and also past member of the Teamster’s Union and the Minnesota Operating Engineers.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 17, 2016, at Zion Evangelical Church in Brownsville, Minn. Pastor Jason Brannan will officiate. Burial will follow in the Brownsville Veteran’s Cemetery with military honors by the Brownsville VFW Post #6801. A visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 pm., Thursday, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Friday, both at the church.
Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Assoc., the American Heart Assoc., Zion Evangelical Church or a charity of your choice. Special note to Ken’s former shop students, The “Old Shop Teacher’s” retirement fund has been officially closed.
Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com.